- Plasma is obtained via centrifugation of non-coagulated blood
- Can be tested for its blood cells, clotting factors, electrolytes (i.e. sodium, magnesium, calcium, chloride), hormones, and proteins (i.e. albumins, fibrinogen, globulins)

Michigan State University

Clinical chemistry tests are performed on specimens such as:
- Serum
- Plasma
- Urine
- Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF)

Specimens Tested in a Clinical Chemistry Lab

Cheriyedath, Susha. “Clinical Chemistry Tests.” News Medical-Life Sciences, 23 Aug. 2019, www.news-medical.net/life-sciences/Clinical-Chemistry-Tests.aspx. 

Clinical Chemistry Tests Info from News Medical

- Serum is the most commonly seen specimen used in the clinical chemistry lab.
- It is obtained via centrifugation of coagulated blood
- Can be tested for its electrolytes, antibodies, hormones, drugs, antigens, microbes, proteins, and other substances  

Uses for Serum as a Specimen in the Clinical Chemistry Lab

Uses for Plasma as a Specimen in the Clinical Chemistry Lab

- For clinical testing, urine from a 24-hour period is usually needed
- The container in which the urine is stored in usually contains a preservative to aid in the reaction needed for diagnostics

Uses for Urine as a Specimen in the Clinical Chemistry Lab

- CSF is a clear fluid that can be found in the brain/spine
- Similar to blood plasma, except it does not contain any proteins
- Typically analyzed in the CC lab for meningitis

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